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Knife-wielding alcoholic jailed for Roman Road incident

AN alcoholic who exposed himself to neighbours in a drink-fuelled rage before threatening to kill them with a kitchen knife has been jailed.

Edward Bryson, 49, said he could not remember playing with his penis outside his flat in Roman Road, Taunton, and wielding the nine-inch blade at neighbours during the incident.

He was jailed for 15 months at Taunton Crown Court on Monday after admitting exposure, possessing a knife in public, affray and criminal damage.

Judge Eric Salomonsen described Bryson’s behaviour as “appalling”, adding: “I have no doubt at all that, whatever your personal circumstances, your conduct that day caused a great deal of alarm and distress to your neighbourhood.

“You’ve only yourself to blame.”

The drama unfolded at around 8.30am on September 30 last year when Bryson, who has 141 previous convictions, was stood outside his flat.

Prosecuting, Caroline Bolt told the court Bryson appeared to be playing with himself in front of a neighbour opposite who approached him and asked him to stop.

It was said that the victim’s partner was then threatened by knife-wielding Bryson, who said “I’ll kill you” and “I do this for fun.”

The couple went back inside their home before Bryson stabbed the door with the blade.

When the police turned up he was spotted throwing the weapon over his shoulder to hide it.

In police interview, Bryson told officers he had drunk a bottle of tequila and could not remember anything.

A victim impact statement read to the court said the victim is now “scared” of going out or being at home alone.

The judge made Bryson the subject of a restraining order, meaning he must move out of his flat when he is released from prison.

Defending, Lawrence Wilcox said: “He indicates that in his judgment, in the cold, sober light of day, it would be inappropriate for him to return to that address.”

Mr Wilcox said: “His attitude is the right one and a very different one from when he’s in drink.

“He’s clearly a very different man.

“The bladed article was produced not to cause injury.”

Bryson must pay a victim surcharge of £100 and sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years.